The next University Staff Senate meeting is scheduled from 3:30 to 5 p.m. May 21 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room and virtually via TEAMS.

All USS meetings are open to the Wichita State campus community. Learn more about University Staff Senate meetings, access meeting zoom links and previous meeting minutes on the University Staff Senate webpage.  

Wichita State researchers are looking for participants for NASA-funded human subjects research. The purpose of this study is to assess the functionality and wearability of a newly developed wireless and flexible skin-wearable photoplethysmography device for cardiovascular health monitoring.

For the ambulatory monitoring test, the participant will be asked to wear the skin-wearable device on different body sites (e.g., forehead, chest, wrist and ankle) and conduct physical activities including walking and jogging.

For the lower body negative pressure test, the participant will wear multiple skin-wearable devices on different body sites (e.g., forehead, chest, wrist, and ankle) and place his or her lower body in a lower body negative pressure camber. The chamber pressure will be lowered by 10 mmHg every 10 minutes until the pressure reaches negative 40 mmHg compared to the atmospheric pressure. After the data collection, the chamber pressure will gradually return to the atmospheric pressure. It is totally safe.

You can select one test to participate in. Before conducting the test, the research team will explain the details of the test to get signed consent form.

This study is reviewed and approved by IRB (study# 5192).

• Participants must be age 20 to 35.
• Participants should not have any known cardiovascular diseases.
• Participants should not have low resting blood pressure (less than 100/60 mm Hg).
• Participants should not have mobility or activity difficulty.
• Participants should not have memory problems.
• Participants must shave skin hair if necessary.

For the ambulatory monitoring test, you will receive up to $100 Greenphire ClinCard for your participation.

For the lower body negative pressure test, you will receive up to $200 Greenphire ClinCard for your participation.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact Dr. Yongkuk Lee by email yongkuk.lee@wichita.edu or phone (316) 978-7670.

If you have experienced a five-year cumulative gap in your education and are earning your first bachelor’s degree, you’re encouraged to apply for the Osher Reentry Scholarship.

Previously, the scholarship was only open to students who took more than 50% of their classes on campus. However, now it is open to students who take classes online or on campus. Students in an online program are encouraged to apply.

To apply for the scholarship, students need the following:

• An updated resume
• The first page of your Student Aid Report from your FAFSA, which includes the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) score
• Answer to the essay prompt: In a short essay, explain why you are pursuing a degree and the difference you hope to make by obtaining it. This essay should also illustrate your potential for academic success by maintaining at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and discuss your financial need.

To see a full list of the program eligibility requirements and to apply go to: www.wichita.edu/osher.

Email pamela.oneal@wichita.edu with any questions.

Join the College of Applied Studies in celebrating Sherena Langley at a come-and-go retirement reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23 in the Rhatigan Student Center room 301.

Sherena has dedicated 25 years of service to Wichita State University, leaving an indelible mark through her roles as an administrative specialist, academic advisor, and director of the Advising Center since 2010. Sherena’s impact extends beyond her immediate responsibilities. Her willingness to go above and beyond to support our students, the College of Applied Studies, and the entire university has been invaluable. Please join us to celebrate Sherena’s achievements and express our gratitude for her service and leadership. We look forward to honoring the positive impact of her career at this special event.

Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) will receive more than $10 million from NASA for research related to the development and implementation of advanced materials for hypersonic applications.

The funding will enable continued research aimed at developing and maturing high temperature advanced materials for use in hot structures and thermal protection systems for hypersonic vehicles.

Development of advanced materials and structures that meet these requirements is a key driver in advancing the hypersonic systems industry. There are currently several technological gaps for novel high-speed materials and structures, including the selection of materials that are capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and extended flight times, as well as the development of reliable design databases.

Join Wichita-area science enthusiasts for the last presentation of the academic year at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 at Social Tap Drinkery on Wichita State’s Innovation Campus. Katlin Dunsing from the Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks) will present “Nurtured by Nature: The Cognitive and Physical Effects Nature Has on Humans.” Dunsing will present the science-based benefits that being in nature can impart on the lives of humans and how it supports our health. Dunsing previously worked as a naturalist at the Great Plains Nature Center and now is the assistant director of the Milford Nature Center in Junction City.

Science on Tap is hosted at Social Tap on the Wichita State Innovation Campus at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month from August to May. These events are designed to be a free, safe space for all scientifically interested people to gather, learn, discuss, and share their interests and discoveries.

Pathway to Nursing, a collaboration between Wichita State University and Kansas State University, is celebrating its first cohort of graduates. This program, which aims to supply nurses to rural Kansas, admitted its first cohort in fall 2022: Elyssa Lenz, Carly Howard, Jana Rosich, Alexis Streeter, and Kelby Wilson.

This achievement would not have come without the collaboration of the esteemed faculty and staff at both universities. For more information about this program, please email Dr. Laura Sooby, assistant director of the Pathway program, at laura.sooby@wichita.edu or visit our website.

Wednesday

• Shawarma Urs: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Thursday

• The Flying Stove: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Follow Wichita State Food Truck Plaza on Facebook for the latest updates and scheduled food trucks.

The Innovation Campus has other dining options as well, including the NetApp Café, open for breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. and for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the NetApp building.

A you may be aware, there has been a national spotlight on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and the Kansas Legislature and Kansas Board of Regents have been focused on this issue for the past several months.   

As those conversations have been ongoing, WSU has been working diligently to ensure all our students — regardless of background — are positioned to succeed, graduate and start their careers. To that end, WSU is focusing on using more inclusive terminology, signaling our dedication to holistic and integrated approaches to excellence and inclusivity. You may notice a change in commonly used nomenclatures at WSU, including the re-naming of some offices and strategies to “inclusive excellence” and similar language. Information on other efforts can be found in these frequently asked questions (see below). 

Changes to these efforts have no effect on curriculum, instruction or research, ensuring the preservation of academic freedom.  

“At WSU, we recognize the evolving landscape of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Our focus remains steadfast on providing an inclusive environment where all students can excel,” says Dr. Marché Fleming-Randle, vice president and director of Military and Veteran Programs. “We’re transitioning our efforts to embrace a more integrated approach, ensuring every student has the resources and support necessary to achieve their goals.”  

“WSU is committed to fostering an environment where every student has the opportunity to feel a sense of belonging that allows them to thrive,” says Dr. Shirley Lefever, executive vice president and provost.   

University listening and feedback sessions will be scheduled for this fall and communicated in WSU Today.  

Frequently asked questions:  

• What happens to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI)? ODI and the Office of Student Engagement Advocacy & Leadership (SEAL) are merging to provide a more comprehensive and expanded effort to enhance student engagement and belonging. The merging of these offices will result in a more sustainable utilization of resources, eliminate redundancy in programs and help develop more comprehensive programs and initiatives for students. Staff positions within ODI and SEAL will become part of Student Engagement and Belonging, providing an opportunity to serve and support students.  
• What happens to scholarships that address diversity? The university is in the process of reviewing current scholarships to ensure the most inclusive application pool.  
• What are the changes to state law? State universities, community colleges and technical colleges are prohibited from using diversity, equity or inclusion consideration in their admissions, student aid and hiring decisions.  
• What are the changes to Kansas Board of Regents policy? KBOR institutions are barred from requiring statements pledging allegiance to, support for or opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in applications for admission, hiring or promotion.  
• How does this affect academic freedom? Changes to these efforts have no effect on curriculum, instruction or research, ensuring the preservation of academic freedom.  

The Kansas State Legislature has approved $1.69 million for our FY25 compensation plan, 50% less than was originally proposed. Therefore, on May 3, Wichita State’s divisional officers approved a 1% across-the-board pay increase, totaling $1 million for all benefits-eligible employees participating in the market-based compensation program. The remaining funds will go toward market-based compensation adjustments for staff and faculty.

The changes will take effect on June 9 and will be reflected in your July 5 paycheck Or, for those on a 9/10 appointment, the change will take effect on Aug. 4 and will be reflected in the Aug. 30 paycheck.

Please note that the university is working with limited resources, and this small increase doesn’t begin to reflect the tremendous value each member of our faculty and staff brings to this institution. We appreciate your dedication and hard work, and we’re committed to continue working with the Kansas Board of Regents, the governor and Legislature in striving to provide fair, market-based compensation within our means.